I was interviewed
5 Questions for Contributing Experts / Advice Givers:
1. What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell myself that everything happens as it should; you learn and grow the most through the comfortable moments in life.
Regarding health advice, I wish I had known the following:
•Your relationship with food can significantly influence your mental health. Poor eating habits, restrictive diets, or unhealthy attitudes toward food can contribute to stress, anxiety, and even depression. Conversely, a healthy relationship with food can positively impact mood and cognitive function.
•Eating less & working out more will not work long term.
•Food is fuel - you are bound to feel bad if no gas is in the car.
•Overeating at night typically stems from restriction earlier in the day - aka not eating enough for breakfast & lunch.
•Balancing your blood sugar is CRITICAL for healing.
•Snacks are not meals.
•Food restriction can lead to poor digestion, hormone imbalance, compromised bone health, nutrient deficiencies, and significant alteration of mood.
•When you don’t eat enough, the body becomes significantly malnourished, and so does the brain due to insufficient neurotransmitters.
2. We love your message to women and admire your healthy lifestyle and desire to help others and share your wisdom. Where did that come from? Who was your inspiration, and why?
Let’s just say that my late teens and early twenties were rough. Years before I became a health practitioner, I faced many health struggles.
During my time as a professional ballet dancer, I struggled with a severe hormone imbalance affecting my estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol levels. Additionally, I developed HPA axis dysfunction, numerous nutrient deficiencies, hypotension, eczema, multiple herniated discs, and a range of other health issues. It wasn’t until I discovered the world of holistic and functional medicine that I started the process of healing from within. Now, it’s my passion to guide and help others in their healing journey.
If anyone is reading this who is currently experiencing health challenges, my heart goes out to you. I’ve been there, and it’s incredibly tough. However, it’s important to remember:
•Symptoms are your body’s way of communicating with you.
•There’s always an underlying root cause.
•Healing is possible.
I strongly encourage you to seek professional help and collaborate with a health practitioner you resonate with and trust. I vividly remember thinking that I would forever be ill, but now I am the happiest and healthiest version of myself.
3. What advice do you give to someone who says, “I could never do what she is doing?” How do you help others get started on their journey and achieve success?
My mission is to empower and motivate individuals to embrace a healthy lifestyle by harnessing the healing power of food. I firmly believe there's no one-size-fits-all approach to the "perfect diet" because of our diverse genetic backgrounds, unique preferences, and distinct lifestyles. While the desire for good health unites us, the path to achieving it varies for each individual.
With that said, what works for me may not work for you, and that's ok!
The advice I would give to someone would be to show up for yourself on the days you feel sad, tired, alone, and frustrated. Many of us make unrealistic health goals like “I am going to eat healthy and perfect every single meal” or “I am going to exercise rigorously every day." When we inevitably fall short, it can lead to feelings of disappointment and defeat, prompting us to abandon our efforts with the promise of starting again tomorrow. Instead, I suggest a more realistic approach – commit to less but show up consistently.
For example, promise yourself at least one nutritious and wholesome meal each day or commit to moving your body three times a week. By setting achievable goals, you'll find satisfaction and pride when you successfully meet them!
Start small, but do something every day. Healthy habits to start out with:
-Drinking water before coffee
-Moving your body two times a week
-Cooking two homemade meals weekly
-Going to bed before 11pm
4. Do you have a mantra or words you live by that have helped you through tough times, to keep going, and not give up? Or that you use today?
“Food is fuel.” I would say this repeatedly when I was healing. Think of us all as plants; if you don't water a plant, it will wilt, and that's precisely what was happening to my body years back. So I began viewing food as fuel, and instead of thinking about what I had to eliminate, I started trying to eat as many nutrient-dense whole foods as possible.
Food is powerful medicine, especially when high-quality foods are consumed daily. Food carries information molecules, instructions, and code that programs your biology with every bite. Eating the right foods builds a foundation of health, supports the immune system, lowers inflammation, builds optimal nutrient status, and wards off chronic disease.
In addition, real, whole nutrient and phytonutrient-rich food turns off inflammation, increases antioxidant systems, balances hormones and brain chemistry, boosts detoxification, increases energy, optimizes your microbiome, and turns on disease-preventing health-promoting genes.
5. Anything else we should have asked you about? Your secrets to success or advice you love to give others?
Life is all about balance. While wholesome natural foods provide nourishment, our souls are also fed by the connections with friends, family, and meaningful experiences. Remember, change, and long-lasting transformation do not happen by force, deprivation, guilt, shame, fear, or punishment.
Health also extends beyond mere dietary considerations; it encompasses our overall satisfaction and the quality of various aspects of life. This holistic perspective includes joy, social interactions, our home environment, relationships, physical activity, career, finances, creativity, and, undoubtedly, home cooking and food. Our choices regarding what we eat, watch, read, listen to, and spend time with contribute to shaping our well-being. Mindfully selecting elements nourishing our body, mind, and soul is important in creating a balanced and fulfilling life. Water what is low!
Additionally, visualization and manifesting changed my life.
So, what is manifestation? “In the simplest terms, manifestation is putting your intention towards something that you hope will happen, then watching it happen in real life. In other words if you think it, it'll come true”. - Googles’ definition hehe
What is Visualization? Visualization is the process of picturing in your mind the things that you want in and out of your life. During visualization, you focus on attaining them and think about what it would look and feel like if you achieved those goals.
I have manifested every. single. thing. in. my. life. - jobs, partnerships, health, being happy, you name it, I manifested it.
I manifest daily by envisioning my dream life - how I want it to feel, look, be, etc. I envision the clients I want to work with, the friends I want to attract, and the feelings I want to feel. I visualize it in my head as if it’s already happened.
Visualization is so powerful because it’s a mental rehearsal for what's to come. When you visualize the future you in action, you create a mental blueprint for your mind and body.
If you are unhappy, start thinking and dreaming of your ideal day - which brings me to my favorite quote, “A goal without a plan is simply a wish,” so make a plan! How will you move forward, grow, and accomplish your dream life if you don’t know what it looks like?
6. What is the one food you would never leave home without ?
My on-the-go when traveling emergency snack pack:
A small bag of nuts, such as raw almonds
A small bag of cut vegetables like carrots, peppers, or cucumbers
A small container of hummus
A can of wild fish like wild salmon, wild tuna, or sardines ( I like the brands Safe Catch or Wild Planet)
An organic piece of fruit, like an apple or orange
A healthy whole-food protein bar (I like the brand Feel Bars)
7. What is the healthiest habit you are most proud of or adhere to the most often?
The healthiest habit I focus on weekly is eating a diverse, colorful, organic, plant-rich diet. Studies show that consuming 30 different plant foods a week optimizes gut health, and the more diverse your diet is, the more diverse your gut microbiome is, so I try to get in various plant foods a week, which include assorted organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, legumes, herbs, and spices.
I would also say listening to my body. When I danced professionally, I would never listen to my body. I would almost always push myself and work out when I was sick, tired, or injured. I would also feel so guilty when I took a rest day. Little did I know that was exacerbating my hormone imbalance and weakening my immune system. Now, I do the opposite. When my body is telling me to stop and take a rest day, I do.
8. When someone says, I have these cravings I can't overcome, what do you say to help them not dive into the cookies or chips every afternoon? (okay this is me and I need to know!)
Cravings tell us a lot about the body. For example, research indicates that fatigue often prompts individuals to turn to cravings for an energy boost or to stay awake. If you notice yourself indulging in salty snacks, consider evaluating your stress levels, as stress may interfere with your adrenal glands' ability to regulate sodium, leading to salt cravings. Additionally, be mindful of thirst, as some studies suggest that mistaking dehydration for hunger might trigger cravings. For those with diabetes, excessive hunger can signal imbalances in blood sugar levels.
I'll touch a little further on sugar cravings because this is quite common; however, it is a loaded question. Understanding sugar cravings involves looking at both physiological and psychological factors. Hormonal responses and emotional connections to food influence how we crave and process sugar. Managing sugar cravings requires dietary adjustments, mindful eating, stress management, and personalized approaches through functional medicine. With that said, I would work with an individual to investigate and identify the root of the issue and figure out the why behind one's cravings. Some root causes of sugar cravings I see:
Adrenal fatigue
Stress
Eating ultra-processed foods
Not eating enough protein, fat, or fiber
Candida overgrowth or SIBO
Emotional Response
Undereating
Lack of sleep
Hormone fluctuations
In addition, if you think you're making healthy choices by having coffee for breakfast and romaine salad for lunch, you may be setting yourself up for failure and cravings later in the day. Going too long without eating can lead your body to crave quick sources of energy like refined grains and simple sugars, which, if consumed late in the day, may be stored as fat.
Skipping meals or waiting too long between them can also result in significant hunger, prompting cravings for sweet or salty foods. In addition, adopting an all-or-nothing approach, where you eliminate all sweet or salty foods, may seem effective initially. Still, research suggests it can lead to cravings and eventual binge-eating when restrictions are lifted.
9. What is the worst habit people do that they THINK is healthy but that is not actually healthy? (Like maybe avoiding all carbs-- since fruit and veggies are in fact carbs)
Avoiding carbohydrates. Typically, when one wants to lose weight, they cut out carbs. But carbohydrates serve as a primary source of energy for both the body and the brain. Eliminating them from your diet can result in various health issues, such as cardiovascular complications, osteoporosis, kidney damage, and an elevated risk of certain cancers. Extensive research spanning decades emphasizes the significance of carbohydrates in a balanced nutritional diet. Unprocessed complex carbohydrate foods play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy diet, offering a wealth of vitamins and minerals.
Additionally, they contribute to a feeling of fullness and serve as a vital source of fuel for the body. Instead of completely excluding this essential food group, choosing whole grain and lower glycemic index options is advised. This approach supports balanced energy levels and contributes to overall well-being. However, remember not all carbohydrates are equal; simple carbohydrates like cookies, white bread, table sugar, and breakfast cereals are not as nutrient-dense as whole grains like quinoa, purple rice, or starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes and squash.
10. What do you wish people knew that they are mistaken about?
I wish people knew eating less and working out more will not work long-term and all calories are not equal. In truth, consuming too few calories for an extended duration poses a risk of nutritional deficiencies, as it may result in inadequate intake of essential nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Restriction of healthy foods is not the answer!
Instead, I recommend adopting an abundance mindset when it comes to health. Instead of thinking about what you have to eliminate, focus on what you can add in to optimize overall health, such as eating more whole, organic, colorful foods!
By incorporating an abundance mindset and focusing more on eating various nutritious foods, you will naturally reduce space for unhealthy options. This process enhances your taste sensitivity, allowing you to better appreciate a wide range of wholesome ingredients. Gradually, you'll crowd out less nutritious choices, creating a well-balanced and sustainable diet that promotes a positive sense of well-being!
